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Information Technology Basics. Georgia CTAE Resource Network Curriculum Office, June 2009 To accompany curriculum for the Georgia Peach State Career Pathways June 2009, Kayla Calhoun & Dr. Frank Flanders. Objectives. Define modern information technology.
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Information Technology Basics Georgia CTAE Resource Network Curriculum Office, June 2009 To accompany curriculum for the Georgia Peach State Career Pathways June 2009, Kayla Calhoun & Dr. Frank Flanders
Objectives • Define modern information technology. • Explain the six functions of data management. • Compare types of networks. • List information technology applications. • Relate information technology skills to careers.
Modern Definition of Information Technology (IT) • Use of computer hardware and software to manage information
Six Functions of Data Management Convert Store Protect Process Transmit Retrieve
Data Conversion • In order to perform any other operations, a computer must convert information into bit (binary digit) format • 0’s and 1’s • In everyday use, this is simply putting data into an electronic format that is stored and retrievable.
Data Storage • After data is converted into bits, it can be stored in bytes (a string of 8 bits) • Primary storage, or memory, is located in the hard drive and can be directly accessed by the central processing unit (CPU) • Secondary storage: located outside the computer; ex: disks, CDs, USB sticks, external hard drives • Good for security purposes
Data Protection • Prevention of data corruption • Limits access to data • Disk encryption • Backup – internal or external copies of data files in case of accidental data loss • Data masking – hiding specific private data within a database • Data erasure – destroys all electronic data on a hard drive to maintain privacy if it is discarded or reused
Data Processing • Conversion of data into usable information • CPU • Fetches instructions for a program from memory • Decodes and reads instructions • Portions of the CPU connect and execute instructions • Writes back the results to memory
Data Transmission Physical transfer of data over a medium, such as copper wire, optical fiber, or wireless Networks: enable two or more computers to share files, printers, and communicate with each other
Networks • Local Area Network (LAN): contained within one building or site • Wide Area Network (WAN): connects more than one site • Ex: Internet
Networks, continued Client-server: client computers are all connected by a central server; can be LAN or WAN Peer-to-Peer: computers are connected to each other, but files are not stored in a central location; can only be LAN
Networks, continued • Server: large & powerful digital storage point that performs a service for other computers in a network; file, print, web, mail • Easier to maintain security and perform backups when files are centrally stored
Internet • Connects millions of computers across the globe • Used for obtaining and providing information • IP Address: each computer has one; enables data to be sent to and received from a specific computer • HTML • E-mail
Data Retrieval • “science of searching” • User enters a query (ex: search string on web search engine or computer hard drive) • Computer information retrieval system scores objects in database by relevancy and displays those most relevant to the query
Common IT Applications Word processors: used to create and edit documents Spreadsheets: used to analyze figures and present information with graphs/charts Databases: stores information about a set of similar items
Common IT Applications • Publishing: more control over formatting and arranging than word processing • PowerPoint: used in business presentations and the classroom to present factual information or for persuasive purposes
Careers in Information Technology • While most workers use information stored electronically daily, IT specialists are needed to manage those information systems. • Some jobs in IT: • Network Engineer • Network Administrator • System Administrator • Database Administrator • IT Project Manager • Chief Information Officer (CIO)
The Top Skills of IT Professionals are: • Computer Networking • Information Security • Database Management • Information Storage and Retrieval • Computer Programming
Summary • Information technology is the use of computer hardware and software to manage information. • IT professionals use computer systems to convert, store, protect, process, transmit, and retrieve data. • Computers are connected to each other by networks.
Summary, continued • Networks sometimes have one or more servers, which store files in a central location. • Some common IT software applications are word processors, spreadsheets, databases, publishing, and PowerPoint • The information age has created the new career field of information technology. • IT specialists must be prepared to learn and adapt to constantly changing technologies.